Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Wharton's Jelly and Amniotic Fluid

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Stem Cell Biology
• Perinatal Stem Cells

Background:

• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are found in perinatal sources, including amniotic fluid (AF) and Wharton's jelly (WJ).
• These perinatal MSCs offer advantages over adult MSCs, such as bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the biology of AF-MSCs and WJ-MSCs.
• To review their regenerative potential based on preclinical and clinical studies.
• To highlight open questions regarding their use in regenerative medicine.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent preclinical and clinical studies on AF-MSCs and WJ-MSCs.
• Analysis of the biological characteristics and therapeutic potential of these cells.

Main Results:

• AF-MSCs and WJ-MSCs possess primitive cell characteristics, are non-tumorigenic, and have low immunogenicity.
• Advantages include minimally invasive isolation and potential for autologous application in congenital disorders.
• These cells show promise for regenerative medicine applications.

Conclusions:

• Perinatal MSCs (AF-MSCs and WJ-MSCs) are highly promising for regenerative medicine due to their unique advantages.
• Further research is needed to address open questions for their clinical application.
• These stem cells represent a significant advancement in the field of regenerative therapies.